Stamford Street Pastors have celebrated 20 years of 'caring, listening and helping' as the international organisation turns 20 this year.

Street Pastors is about Christians rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in practically responding to the problems of crime and safety.

They are a multi-cultural and generational group who work within the local community to support wellbeing.

Street Pastors are volunteers from different churches who care about the safety and wellbeing of their community. They "come in all shapes and sizes and are known for being a peaceful and practical help on the night time streets and a caring, listening and helpful presence in our communities."

Set up in 2003, they now work within many communities and aim to be approachable and non-judgemental, looking after anyone who is in need of support, uniquely identifiable by our uniforms, their caps and bags.

St Mary's Church, Stamford. Image credit: Nub News.

The Stamford Street Pastors team said: "Fast forward to 2023, Street Pastors is now a highly visible, highly regarded, national community imitative, well-respected by the people in the pew, as well as in local and national government circles.

"It is operational in 250 towns and cities across the UK, with 8000 street pastors currently serving their communities in patrols every Friday and Saturday night. Street Pastors is also international and based in Jersey, Gibraltar, Ireland, the US and the West Indies.

"The Street Pastors idea has been extended so there are now school pastors, rail pastors, college pastors, prayer pastors and response pastors. And Street Pastors aren't just focused on addressing youth crime and violence; they also support and promote community safety."

Find out more online.